Simpson, GTCC English associate professor thankful for her college family this holiday season

We just respect and care for each other and we all work together for student success; that’s the whole goal," said Simpson.

GTCC is more than just a place to learn new skills and further one’s education. The college can also provide an extended family, place of comfort and a thankful sense of security for many of its students and employees.

Megan Simpson, an associate English professor, feels and exudes these family connections with many of her colleagues, particularly with the folks she sees every day in GTCC’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing. Working at GTCC is more than a job for her.

“We all work together,” said Simpson who has worked at GTCC for over 20 years. “We are community of people who are more than just colleagues, we’re actually friends. They’re my family.”

Simpson teaches contextual English to students in the welding and the North Carolina Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (NC FAME) programs and works closely with her colleagues to implement impactful curriculum for students to use on the job.

“We tailor the English curriculum for the NC FAME and welding students as it relates to their field,” said Simpson.

For the past year, her GTCC family has been a constant source of comfort for Simpson outside of the classroom as well — something she is forever thankful for. After losing her teen son Ben in August of 2024, her colleagues have been there for her through very challenging times.

Recently, through a team effort from Zeb Downey, a welding instructor, Jen Feth, Industrial, Construction, and Transportation Technologies administrative assistant, and Josh Baker, a Collision Repair & Refinishing Tech instructor, the trio decided there was more they could do to lift up Simpson and her family by constructing a surprise memorial metal bench to honor Ben.

“The idea for this bench began with a simple conversation among colleagues — a shared moment of reflection as we wondered how we could honor Ben,” said Downey, who crafted the bench from slabs of metal. “We wanted to find a way to comfort Megan in her grief, to remind her that she is not alone, and that she is surrounded by care and compassion, that she is surrounded by friends.”

Downey shared that he and Feth felt the concept of a memorial bench was a creation both functional and meaningful, representing strength, comfort, and remembrance.

“Tragedy visits each of us at some point along life’s journey. How we confront and move forward from such moments defines not only our resilience, but the depth of our humanity,” Downey added. “This bench was created as a place for Megan and her family to sit, reflect, and remember Ben — to recall the joy and light he brought into their lives. It is, quite simply, a place for Ben.”

From concept to completion, the project took around 40 hours of fabrication, over the course of two months. From Downey’s artistic design and welding work, to Feth’s planning and selecting a meaningful quote, and Baker painting the bench one of Ben’s favorite colors, light blue, each gesture was a testament to their care for Simpson.

“This included designing and cutting the decorative elements on the CNC plasma table, preparing materials for welding, and fabricating the bench itself,” said Downey. “Even the task of moving the nearly 350-pound plate steel and cutting it into workable sections proved to be a significant effort — yet every step felt worthwhile.”

When it came time to reveal the surprise gift to Simpson, her GTCC family knew she wouldn’t want a flashy presentation but instead one of respect and remembrance for Ben.

“The unveiling of the bench happened quietly with a small ceremony,” said Downey. “Only three of us were present — Jen, Josh, and myself. We led Megan into the space where the bench sat beneath a simple cloth covering. With a few heartfelt words, and perhaps a tear or two, the cloth was removed. What followed was a moment of shared emotion — tears, silence, and gratitude.”

Simpson is still in awe of the gift and brags about how thoughtful, kind and generous the gift truly is for her entire family, including her husband and two other children.

“There are no words to express gratitude for these guys (Downey, Feth and Baker), I love them so much,” said Simpson. “The bench is going in our backyard and we’re going to create a rock garden to sit and remember Ben. It gives us an opportunity to remember him at home, even though he’s always here with us.”

Simpson and Downey both have similar feelings about everyone working together as colleagues, and as a family, to support student success – their number one goal.

“I’m thankful we’re all genuine here,” said Simpson. “I do this job because I love it. I love the students, teaching and my community. We just respect and care for each other and we all work together for student success; that’s the whole goal.”

“We are more than a collective of instructors guiding students toward their aspirations. We are a family — brothers and sisters — united in purpose and spirit,” added Downey.